A new weekly support group for people struggling with addiction starts on 27 February 2026 at St Matthew’s Church in Bootle, Merseyside. The sessions are run by Cocaine Anonymous and provide a local recovery option for residents seeking to overcome substance misuse.
The meetings take place every Friday evening from 18:45 to 20:15 at the church building located at 410 Stanley Road. By hosting the group in a central community landmark, organisers hope to remove travel barriers for people seeking help during the evening hours.
Revd Paula Bridson, who leads the parish of St Matthew & St Leonard, oversees the mission at the church. The start of the group matches the church’s focus on the season of Lent, which is viewed as a time for personal reflection and making room for renewal.
While professional medical services in the town are primarily provided by Change Grow Live at Bridle Way, this new group offers a peer-led setting. The initiative is part of the wider Bootle Churches network, which aims to provide practical support and community connection for local people.
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